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Nobody would characterize a pharmacy as a stress-free environment. With challenges ranging from avoiding prescription mistakes to dealing with unhappy patients, pharmacists face enough demands even when working with the [...]

End-of-life decisions are inherently difficult for all concerned. Fortunately for healthcare providers, and in turn the patients they serve, increasingly robust options offer support for data-driven decisions. Clinical technology and [...]

Improving the patient experience is a goal that makes sense for every healthcare provider. 'The evidence continues to show that organizations that focus on patient experience drive outcomes: financial, loyalty, [...]

Tip 1 Get comfortable talking about money 'Tie the financial conversation to the clinical conversation. Patients today are being encouraged to ask questions upfront, including whether there are lower-cost treatment [...]

Bar coding technology finds many useful applications in office environments. One of the most obvious benefits of bar coding is its fast and efficient manner of entering data. In addition, it provides accuracy and portability in encoding and storing data., Remember when former President Bush visited a supermarket and expressed amazement at the clerks using bar code scanners? The former chief executive took a lot of heat over his ignorance [...]

Tip #1 Rethink your call center 'In era of healthcare consumerism, more health plan meme expecting a level of sophistication and customization that most 'analog' contact centers cannot meet. Technology [...]

Losses caused by telecommunication fraud were estimated to have cost US businesses over $4 billion in 1998. Telephone fraud cases involved a variety of scams have been reported. They usually involve the charging of telephone calls to businesses that become the target of unscrupulous scam artists., Scams abound. Your only defense is to stay alert and stay informed It sounds legitimate enough. An employee at your firm takes a call from someone who identifies himself as [...]

Several challenges are associated with the management of office mail operations. These include the correct usage of mail center services, social conditions of mail personnel, employee training and motivation, and equipment management., Managing mail operations poses challenges for any organization. To get a handle on how to address mail center problems, OfficeSystems99 consulted Don Archer, CMM, CMDSM, national sales manager for education [...]

The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who divide the world into two kinds of people, and those who don't. Okay, so that's an old joke. But [...]

'POWER TO THE PEOPLE!' Okay, so maybe that's an outdated slogan. But 'power to the computers' just doesn't have much ring to it. Even so, computers and other electronic devices [...]

Everything is expensive nowadays. Providing technological support for almost any business takes more cash than most of us would like to admit. Even with the dropping prices of high-tech equipment, [...]

The realms of cyberspace are definitely a major presence as we near the end of 1999. From surfing the Web to communicating via e-mail, on-line communication is touching more and [...]

Making the Most of the New Copiers Have you heard about the user who mistook the CD-ROM drive as a coffee cup holder? That person obviously failed to make full [...]

Both traditional and contemporary office arrangements have their advantages. Modern panel systems allow for flexibility and growth, and promote teamwork and experimentation, as the company's needs change. In addition to their function as room dividers, modern panel systems offer built-in electric wiring, seven-wire circuit systems, and shielded circuits for word processors, telephones and computers. The panels also help eliminate the cluttered look. Panel systems meet the need for privacy while maintaining the open office concept.

Organizations have been able to make their mail rooms more productive through more efficient use of floor space; employment of manual sorters, wrapping, scales, and meter consoles; as well as through use of self-contained work stations. Some automated mailing systems can process more than 40,000 pieces of mail per hour. Managers are using more accounting data to monitor mail room efficiency. In order to attract and keep workers capable of operating this increasingly sophisticated equipment, organizations are offering better salaries and improved job status to mail room workers.

Micrographics, including microfilm and microfiche applications used to preserve written documents, are a highly efficient document storage alternative. Small- to mid-sized companies may find it more cost-effective to contract for micrographic services from outside vendors, while large companies with extensive document generation should develop in-house micrographic services. Front-end and back-end micrographic systems are described. A front-end system microfilms all documents received and created as they are generated. A back-end system microfilms selected documents prior to filing or two to three years after filing. Computer-assisted retrieval of microfilmed documents is a more recent development which can locate microfilm files much more quickly than manual systems.

Common terms used in connection with the computer networking process are defined and explained. These networking terms include local area network, wireless local area network, wide area network, token ring, ethernet, firewall and twisted pair., This month's column takes a look at computer networking. Computers are cool on their own, but they're even more profound when joined together. Even small businesses find advantages in connecting [...]

Computer memories are devices which contain information currently being processed. There are several types of computer memory systems available on the market. These include random access memory, read-only memory, antimemory, and VRAM., Hey, do you remember where you left your car keys? Have you ever forgotten your sweetheart's birthday?. If you were a computer, this would never happen. Everyone knows that a [...]

Several terms related to computers or digital technology have emerged recently. These include Easter eggs, which are undocumented bits of code hidden in computer programs and operating systems that provide entertainment or information, and DIP switch, a small switch found on the exterior part of circuit boards. Other computer-related terms of interest are POP (Post Office Protocol)/PoP and BIOS chips., April brings showers, flowers, and in many families, the chance to chow down at a big Easter dinner. So what would whet your appetite? How about some Easter eggs, along [...]

Guidelines for measuring the efficiency of mail room operations are discussed. Contemporary mailroom systems and equipment can save money and increase productivity. Automated mail-processing systems can save on labor costs. Some automated mail systems have a charge-back unit that tracks mail use by department or client. Postage-by-telephone systems are available that allow mail rooms to request more postage by telephone, instead of having to take meters to the post office for resetting.

Noise control in office buildings is a major problem for some companies. Research indicates that strong noises cause stress and low productivity. There is no one single answer for noise control. Sometimes the problem, especially in open office 'bullpens' is not too much noise, but no sound at all, making private conversations public. The first step in noise control is choosing furnishings with sound-absorbing characteristics. The second might be choosing panels; these come in different fabrics and can be rearranged at will. Computer printer covers are now available that eliminate 90% of noise. An innovative approach to noise is sound-emitting devices which neutralize ambient noise.

Evolving digital, portable, desktop, and computer-based dictation system technologies offer significant improvements in efficiency and productivity. Digital systems store material on a disk and offer such advantages as editing and inserting material without writing over extant text, easy searching for priority documents, variable playback speeds without distortion, and multiple, simultaneous transcription. Portable systems are smaller, easier to use, and offer more features than ever. The microcassette is becoming the dominant medium for portable dictation units. Desktop units when used with word processors or smart typewriters offer significant productivity improvements. Computer-based systems can provide instructions on-screen and easy customization. Other dictation machine features may include remote access, intercom, memory, and multiple cassettes.

Efficient, smooth information storage and retrieval is feasible even for the smallest office. Systems range from color-coded manual ones to complex, automated configurations. Increased use of computer and electronic components has increased the production of paper records: computer print-outs, reports, and other documents. File folder systems, open shelf options, and modular approaches to hard copy and other storage are described.

Data safes protect electronically stored information from damage due to fire, heat, magnetic disturbances, or humidity. Safes are also a simple alternative to complex computer security systems such as passwords and usage codes. Data safes provide a solution to the problem of backing-up and maintaining disks by offering a central location for media storage. Most data safes combine an outer shell with an interior lining of a dry material such as concrete or gypsum. Small data safes have outside dimensions of 14' by 16' and can hold more than 100 diskettes and additional tape cartridges.The largest models can hold up to 5,000 diskettes and hundreds of tape canisters.

Guarding against power disturbances is essential for businesses that use computers. Increases or decreases in voltage can damage equipment. A more serious possibility is that vital data can also be lost. Uninterruptible power systems (UPSs) provide the most complete protection. UPSs remain on-line constantly, sending power through batteries, charging batteries immediately if power is lost. Standby power systems (SPSs) do not operate until after a blackout has happened, so there is a slight delay when the system switches to battery power. Elapsed time between the two events can mean that data is lost. Power-conditioners offer a different sort of protection, filtering out noise and providing clean, controlled power.

Features have increased and prices have gone down for photocopying machines. They come with many more standard features and options than they did before. Considerations in choosing a copier include: the number of copies to be made; the amount of available space for a copier; special features desired, such as color; and the cost of operation. Good service is readily available with all copiers now. They are also more 'user friendly' than they were in the past. Types of optional features available include: automatic magnification selection, zoom magnification-reduction, and automatic exposure selection.

Facsimile systems (fax) are becoming more popular with business users; 500,000 fax machines are now in use, and that number is expected to double by 1990. Computer-based communication systems and overnight mail services have not displaced fax machines because of technical innovations that have greatly reduced the cost, noise, and transmission times of facsimile systems, while improving the quality of fax reproductions. The advantages of fax machines include simplicity of installation and operation, the ability to handle different types of documents without keyboarding, and the ability to interface with computers and Telex machines. Considerations when purchasing a fax machine are compatibility with other units, volume of usage anticipated, the cost and complexity of the machine, and demonstrated performance.